Macomb, IL – The opening day for Macomb's new movie theaters has been pushed back.
Developers originally hoped to open The Rialto on May 1. But that date has come and gone, and renovations continue on the building.
Mayor Mick Wisslead says the former grocery store building required a good deal of work. "The seating out there is stadium seating," says Wisslead. "So they had to build it from scratch. Steel supports with concrete poured on top of them, and that took some time."
Wisslead says it now looks like The Rialto will open early in June.
The Rialto will be operated by Earlann, Inc. The company is owned by Melody and Larry McGrath of Charleston, IL.
Earlann, Inc also owns Keller Plaza 8 in St Louis, Arcadia Cinema in Olney, and Fairview Drive-In in Newton.
The Rialto is being built in the vacant storefront next to Sears on Macomb's east side. The space previously housed a portion of the Eagle grocery store.
Wisslead says there's been one other change to The Rialto. There will be six screens instead of seven. It turns out there was not enough space to fit seven screens in the building.
Wisslead made his comments after the May 4 city council meeting.
New Aldermen Take Office
Earlier in the evening, the winners of this year's city council elections were sworn into office.
Ryan Hansen is the new first ward alderman. He defeated incumbent Dick Vick in the February election.
Clay Hinderliter is the new seventh ward alderman. He replaces Ken Zahnle, who did not seek re-election. Hinderliter ran unopposed.
Fifth ward alderman Tim Lobdell and aldermen at-large Dennis Moon and Don Wynn were also sworn into office. Lobdell defeated challenger Jeff Metrick in February. Moon and Wynn ran unopposed.